reading morphologically

A resource for using morphophonology in Ancient Greek and Latin language instruction.

Aorist Passive Infinitive

Introduction

To make the aorist passive infinitive, add the aorist passive marker /θή/ to the base, and then add the infinitive marker /ναι:

          λεγ/θή/ναι > λεχθῆναι
          δο/θή/ναι > δοθῆναι
          ταμ/θή/ναι > τμηθῆναι

BASE/θή//ναι

All verbs form the aorist passive the same way, regardless of their formation in the active and middle. Since /θη/ marks passive voice and aorist aspect, it replaces the /σ/ of the sigmatic aorist.

Intermediate

We saw the infinitive marker /ναι in athematic progressive active infinitives. Recall that it is the combination of two infinitive markers: zero-grade /εν (hence simply /ν) and /αι. Why do these infinitive markers, which we see marking active infinitives, also mark passive infinitives? It’s perhaps best not to think of them as explicitly active infinitive markers but rather as default infinitive markers commonly used in the active (and here in the passive).